Clinical waste incinerators in Cameroon--a case study
| Autor: | Morten Sodemann, Gabriel Gulis, Peter Ikome Kuwoh Mochungong |
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| Předmět: |
Waste management
Health Policy Cost-Benefit Analysis Site selection Heavy metals Environmental pollution Equipment Design Incineration General Business Management and Accounting Field observation Evaluation Studies as Topic Bottom ash Metals Heavy Environmental science Humans Environmental Pollutants Cameroon Inductively coupled plasma Medical Waste Disposal Environmental Pollution |
| Zdroj: | University of Southern Denmark Mochungong, P I K, Gulis, G & Sodemann, M 2012, ' Clinical waste incinerators in Cameroon--a case study ', International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 6-18 . |
| Popis: | PurposeIncinerators are widely used to treat clinical waste in Cameroon's Northwest Region. These incinerators cause public apprehension owing to purported risks to operators, communities and the environment. This article aims to summarize findings from an April 2008 case study.Design/methodology/approachThree incinerators were randomly selected and investigated for site, design and operating standards. Empirical field observation was adopted and data collected through inventory and informal interviews. Bottom ash samples collected from the incinerators were prepared according to standard procedures and analyzed for heavy metals using Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) Emission Spectroscopy.FindingsShortcomings associated with site selection, design and operation standards were identified. Chemical analysis revealed that Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mg and Ca were present in the bottom ash with mean concentration ranging from 10 mg/kg for Pb to 178080 mg/kg for Ca.Research limitations/implicationsFor logistic reasons, feedstock quantity and quality into the incinerators were not investigated. Neither were soil samples around and away from the incinerators.Practical implicationsAlthough highly favored, clinical waste incineration methods in this region have to be reconsidered. A thorough health and environmental impact assessment is suggested before subsequent decisions on choice and disposal site is made. This will curb potential negative impacts to the environment and public health.Originality/valueThis article adds a different perspective and sheds additional information to the debate on unsatisfactory clinical waste incinerators in resources‐poor countries. Alternative methods to incineration are presented that will be helpful to practitioners. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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